We went to Cap du Ferret this year in the middle of August. The forest protection means that development is restricted. We stayed in a lovely low key place, air conditioned lodges with a very small shared pool. We hired bikes (definitely book in advance) and cycled around. We also had a hire car, flew into Bordeaux airport. I love the atlantic coast, the beach stretches for 50km, access via the pine forests.
Sunset on the beach, cute restaurants, chilled fishing village vibe with some incredibly beautiful houses. Loads of camp sites and forest lodges and some very expensive rentals. The kids hire surf boards for a couple of hours, on two days but mostly we cycled a bit, sat on the beach and chilled.
It was 40 degrees in Bordeaux and 34 in Cap du Ferret. We were grateful for air conditioning!! There was a high risk of forest fires so access to the forest was restricted which meant there were more people on the cycle paths along the main road than there might be otherwise but it was fine. I was expecting insane traffic and parking to and from the beaches but it was OK. It was too far to cycle all the way to the end of the Cap and back so we drove.
I love quiet, low budget holidays, my husband would prefer air conditioned and a bit more luxury which our budget doesn't stretch to. We compromised and had 5 days instead of 7 and spent more than we would usually. I wondered if it might be a bit like a camping lodge / centre parks (which I have not been to for nearly 20 years,) but it was low key, very comfortable and the air-conditioning was blissful and necessary!!
I think I would have preferred a villa in our budget but as much as I looked, I couldn't find anything to fit our requirements.
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